Kanoya Air Base Museum

The Kanoya Air Base Museum is located within a Maritime Self-Defense Force base and displays military aircraft, pilot equipment, photographs, and documents related to Japanese naval aviation. The collection spans different decades of naval aviation training and operations at this location.

The museum preserves artifacts from World War II, including personal letters and belongings of naval pilots who served at the three airfields located on this site. The collection documents the transformation of Japanese naval forces from the Imperial Navy to its modern form.

Exhibitions detail the transformation of Japanese naval forces from the Imperial Navy to the Maritime Self-Defense Force through photographs and operational records.

The museum is located within a military base and accessible to visitors, with basic information available at the entrance. It is advisable to check visiting conditions in advance since it sits on an active military installation.

The museum displays an original Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zero fighter, the primary naval interceptor of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. This aircraft is one of the few surviving examples and provides insight into Japanese aviation technology of that era.

Location: Nishihara

Official opening: December 1973

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: 海上自衛隊

Website: https://mod.go.jp/msdf/kanoya/toukatu/HPzairyou/1-8siryoukann/1-8siryoukann.html

GPS coordinates: 31.38083,130.83692

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:44